Mardi Gras 2014: Where to watch New Orleans parades, party in SoCal

Mary ForgioneDaily Deal and Travel Blogger

New Orleans parades and celebrations have been going on since mid-February as a run-up to the final fabulous blowout of Mardi Gras on Tuesday (today).

Parade krewes, as the organizing bodies are called, will start at 6 a.m. PST (8 a.m. CST) in the city with the Krewe of Zulu, followed by the Krewe of Rex and other groups that will keep the beads flowing into the evening. Nine parades are planned for Tuesday in and around New Orleans. (If you don't get the whole street parade thing, check out Hugh Laurie at the Krewe of Bacchus parade on Sunday.)

For a virtual view of Tuesday's goings-ons, check out WWLTV.com news station's live Bourbon Street camera mounted at Arnaud's Restaurant and a series of EarthCams aimed at Mardi Gras happenings.

If you're itching to get in on the fun, it's probably too late to go to New Orleans. The Farmers Market at 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenues in L.A. will be hosting a little Mardi Gras fun starting at 6:30 p.m. Beads will be thrown, zydeco music will be played and king cake will be served.

San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter gets into krewe-parade mode too with a street party featuring 20 DJs and performers. Tickets cost $40 to $85 for entrance to the celebrations on the street and in clubs too.